MEMBERS of Malmesbury Cricket Club have been bowled over by the support they have received from businesses and charities after raising £22,000 through a crowdfunding appeal for a new two-lane practice net.

Organisations from IMSM Ltd, the Ashley Scrivens Foundation, the Higginbottom Family in Memory of Sam, Wiltshire Council, Horton Construction and others dug deep to raise funds for the nets, which were opened at the Worthys last Friday (August 4).

The equipment, which consists of an artificial pitch enclosed by nets either side, will be used as a practice area by batsmen and bowlers over the summer to warm up and improve their cricketing techniques.

Stephen Jepson, chairman of Malmesbury Cricket Club, said: “We are very thankful to everyone for their generosity, which has gone a long way in helping us to finally reach completion to build the new cricket nets for our club members.

"The cricket nets perform an essential role in cricket coaching allowing for a greater intensity of training, especially with the new multiple cricket net lane. We could not have done it without their wonderful support and generosity, and it is great to see our cricketers putting them to good use."